if the guilty wretch, who has occasioned to them the loss of a
daughter, should likewise deprive them of their best hope, and only son,
more worth in the family account than several daughters?

Would you add, my Brother, to those distresses which you hold your sister
so inexcusable for having (although from involuntary and undersigned
causes) given?

Seek not then, I beseech you, to extend the evil consequences of your
sister's error. His conscience, when it shall please God to touch it,
will be sharper than your sword.

I have still another motive for writing to you in this solemn manner: it
is, to entreat you to watch over your passions. The principal fault I
knew you to be guilty of is, the violence of your temper when you think
yourself in the right; which you would oftener be, but for that very
violence.

You have several times brought your life into danger by it.

Is not the man guilty of a high degree of injustice, who is more apt
to give contradiction, than able to bear it? How often, with you, has
impetuosity brought on abasement? A consequence too natural.

Let me then caution you, dear Sir, against a warmth of temper, an
impetuosity when moved, and you so ready to be moved, that may hurry you
into unforeseen difficulties; and which it is in some measure a sin not
to endeavour to restrain. God enable you to do it for the sake of your
own peace and safety, as well present as future! and for the sake of your
family and friends, who all see your fault, but are tender of speaking to
you of it!

As for me, my Brother, my punishment has been seasonable. God gave me
grace to make a right use of my sufferings. I early repented. I never
loved the man half so much as I hated his actions, when I saw what he was
capable of. I gave up my whole heart to a better hope. God blessed my
penitence and my reliance upon him. And now I presume to say, I AM
HAPPY.

May Heave preserve you in safety, health, and honour, and long continue
your life for a comfort and stay to your honoured parents! And may you,
in that change of your single state, meet with a wife as agreeable to
every one else as to yourself, and be happy in a hopeful race, and not
have one Clarissa among them, to embitter your comforts when she should
give you most comfort! But may my example be of use to warn the dear
creatures whom once I hoped to live to see and to cherish, of the evils
with which the deceitful world abounds! are the prayers of